Window catch



O'Ct. 11, 1927. A HI SEBELL WINDOW CATCH Filed July 17, 1926 Fig. 1

Im; i y 'sa a Invenor.

" Hurry SebeH Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY SEBELL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO LOUS F, BUFF, OF BOSTON, :MASSACHUSETTS WINDOW CATCH.

Application led July 17, 1926. Serial No. 123,078;

The invention relates to window catches and has for its object to provide a novel window catch which can be inexpensively manufactured and which will be effective in operation.

In order to give an understanding of the invention I have illustrated inthe drawings a selected embodiment thereof which will now be described after which the novel feal" tures will be pointed out in the appended claim.

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view showing a window catch embodying my invention;

t5 Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2,

Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a front view of Fig. 2.

A window catch constituting my invention is of that type which is adapted to be secured to the top edge of the lower sash and is adapted to lie against the side rail of the upper sash.

In the vdrawings 1 indicates the lower sash and 2 the upper sash of a window.

My improved catch comprises a housing 3 which is secured to the top edge et of the lower sash 5 and which carries a locking member 6 that frictionally engages the side rail 7 of the upper sash. This housing is o .of such a shape and has such a construction that when it has been secured in place it cannot be removed except by taking out the window sashes. The housing comprises the top 8, the bottom 10 and the two side walls 9 which connect the top and bottom. This housing is open at both ends. The bottom is formed with an ear 11 to receive an attaching screw 12 which is screwed into the window sash. The housing is also made with a depending flange 13 which overlies the outside face 14 of the upper rail of the lower sash and which lies between said face and the side face of the upper sash.

A nail, screw or other fastening means 15 is inserted through the apron 13 into the upper sash. When the window sashes are in place this apron 13, which is secured to the upper sash by the fastening 15, is confined between the two sashes and thus the fastening 15 cannot be removed except by taking the windows out from the window frame.

The latching member 6 has a cylindrical shape, the periphery of which is preferably knurled as shown at 16. This latching member is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 1,7 which is carried by the side walls 9, said pivot pin being situated eccentrically of the locking member as best seen in Fig. 2.

lThe latching member is acted upon by a spring 18 which holds it yieldingly against the face of the side rail 7 `of the upper sash. This spring is in the form of a spring wire having a U-shape, the two arms of which are wound around a pin 19 which is carried by the side walls 9, the two ends 2O of the arms resting against the bottom 10 of the housing. rThe spring thus holds the locking member 6 yieidingly against the side rail 7 of the upper sash. The. pivotal pin 17 is situated below the center of the latching member so that the lower sash is free to move downwardly relative to the upper sash or the upper sash is free to move upwardly relative to the lower sash. If, however, an attempt is made to move the lower sash upwardly or the upper sash downwardly the friction between the latching member 6 and the face of the sash will tend to turn the latching member counter-clockwise Fig. 2 thus causing the latching member to wedge against the upper sash and securing the window.

Novel means are provided for withdraw ing the latching member from securing engagement with the upper sash when it is desired to open the window. The means provided for this purpose comprises a re leasing member indicatedgenerally at 21 and having a fork shape. This releasing member is pivoted on the pin 19 and comprises the two arms 22 between which the latching member 6 is received. The locking member has a projection 23 extending from each end, these projections being engaged by the arms 22. The two arms are connected by the bridge portion 24 and the latter has a finger piece 25 extending therefrom which is accessible through the open end of the housing.

I/Vhen anybody inside of the house desires to open the window he may depress the thumb piece 25 with this finger or thumb as shown by dotted lines Fig. 2 thereby swinging the releasing member 21 about its pivot 19. During such swinging movement the engagement of the arms 22 with the projection 23 will turn the latching member about its pivot 17 into the dotted line position thus releasing it from frictional engagement with the upper sash. The window is then free to he moved in either direction. 1 IVhen the thumb piece 25 is released the spring 18 will bring the latohing member into securing engagement with the upper sash thus securing the lower sash from upeccentrically-pivoted cylindrical latching member situated within the housing, said latching member having a projection extending from each end, a.. spring acting on said member and yieldingly holding it against the upper sash, a forked releasing member pivoted in the housing and embracing the latching member, the arms of said releasing member engaging said projections, said releasing member having a thumb piece ei;- tending through vthe open end of the hous` iid-g, whereby when the thumb piece is depressed the releasable mem-ber is rocked and the latohing member released from its engagement with the upper sash.

In testimonyv whereof, I have signed my name to thisspeeiication.

HARRY SEB'ELL. 

